REMARKS

Name: Castaneda, Divine Charm B. Date: 05/09/23

Course/Year: BSED-ENGL 2 Class Time: 10:30-12:00

Learning Task 1

In the first column, identify certain information as to the political, economic, and cultural
conditions of the Philippines on which the Republic stood. In the second column, trace how the
information listed in the first column shaped the literary tradition of the times. In the third
column, identify examples of authors and their works which illustrate the literary culture plotted
in the second column. (15 points)

Context (Political, Literary Developments Examples

economic, cultural
conditions)
1. Political Conditions: Emergence of a new generation of One of the key figures of
- The Philippines had a long Filipino writers who sought to this literary movement
history of colonization, with explore and express their national was:
Spain ruling for over 300 identity and their experience of  Nick Joaquín, who
years, followed by the colonialism and liberation. These wrote stories, essays,
United States for 48 years. writers drew inspiration from and plays that
- The country had been various sources, including the celebrated the
under Japanese occupation traditional oral and written literature richness and
during World War II, which of the Philippines, as well as the diversity of
caused significant modernist and nationalist literary Philippine culture
destruction and loss of life. movements in Europe and the and history. His
- There were ongoing Americas works, such as "The
struggles for independence Woman Who Had
and self-determination, with Two Navels" and "A
various nationalist Portrait of the Artist
movements and as Filipino,"
organizations pushing for explored the
greater autonomy and complex relationship
sovereignty between the
Philippines and its
former colonial
masters, as well as
the challenges of
forging a national
identity in a
postcolonial world.

2. Economic Conditions:
- The Philippines was
primarily an agricultural
economy, with crops like
rice, corn, and sugarcane
being major exports.
- There were significant
disparities in wealth and
income distribution, with a
small elite controlling much
of the country's wealth and
resources.
- The country had suffered
from decades of
underinvestment in
infrastructure and
education, which had
hampered economic growth
and development.
 Jose Garcia Villa,
whose innovative
poetry and short
stories blended
traditional and
modernist elements;
 Francisco Arcellana,
whose stories often
explored the tension
between individual
desire and social
norms; and
 N.V.M. Gonzalez,
whose works dealt
with the impact of
modernization and
urbanization on
Philippine society.
One of the significant literary Some of the notable
developments during this period writers of this period
was the emergence of a new include:
generation of writers who were  Nick Joaquin,
influenced by the social, political,  Jose Garcia Villa,
and economic issues of the time.  Francisco Arcellana,
These writers, known as the and
"Ilustrados," focused on the plight  N.V.M. Gonzalez,
of the poor and the marginalized in among others.
Philippine society and used their
writings to raise awareness and
promote social change. Another
important literary development
during this period was the rise of
the vernacular or regional literature.
Filipino writers began to explore the
rich literary traditions of their own
regions, using their native
languages to create works that

3. Cultural Conditions:
- The Philippines is a
culturally diverse country,
with over 100 distinct
ethnic groups and a mix of
indigenous, Malay,
Chinese, and Spanish
influences.
- The dominant religion is
Catholicism, which was
introduced during Spanish
colonial rule.
- The country had a rich
tradition of arts, literature,
and music, with notable
artists and writers like Jose
Rizal, Nick Joaquin, and
Fernando Amorsolo
captured the unique flavor and
culture of their communities.
One of the most notable literary Some of the notable
developments during this period writers of this period
was the emergence of the "Filipino include:
novel," which was characterized by  Nick Joaquin,
a distinct nationalistic perspective  Jose Garcia Villa,
and a focus on social issues. This  Francisco Arcellana,
literary movement was spearheaded and
by writers such as Nick Joaquin,  N.V.M. Gonzalez
N.V.M. Gonzalez, and Francisco
Arcellana, among others. Their
works explored themes such as the
struggle for national identity, social
injustice, and the impact of
colonialism on Philippine culture.
The short story also became a
popular literary form during this
period, with writers such as Paz
Marquez Benitez and Jose Garcia
Villa gaining prominence. Their
works often dealt with themes of
love, identity, and social inequality.
 Learning Task 2
Make a brief comparative analysis of “Bread of Salt” and James Joyce’s “Araby” specifically on
the experiences of the main characters and on the theme. (Content/Depth of discussion/Use of
Supporting details – 10; Language Use – 5). Come up with three to four major points focusing on
similarities.
"Bread of Salt" by N.V.M. Gonzales and "Araby" by James Joyce both depict the
experiences of young boys coming of age and their encounters with unrequited love.

In "Bread of Salt," the protagonist experiences a cultural awakening when he is

tasked with purchasing bread for his family's breakfast. He develops a crush on Aida, the
young daughter of the family he buys the bread from, and fantasizes about winning her
affection. However, his hopes are dashed when he attends Aida's party and realizes that she is
from a different social class and has different expectations for a romantic partner.

Similarly, in "Araby," the protagonist becomes infatuated with his neighbor

Mangan's sister and promises to bring her a gift from the bazaar called Araby. He encounters
numerous obstacles on his journey to the bazaar and arrives too late to purchase a gift, leading
to a realization that his love for Mangan's sister was misguided and naive.

Both stories deal with the theme of unrequited love and the disillusionment that
follows when one's fantasies collide with reality. However, "Bread of Salt" explores this theme
through a cultural lens, as the protagonist's crush on Aida is based partly on his fascination
with her upper-class lifestyle. On the other hand, "Araby" deals with the theme of
disappointment and disillusionment in a more universal way, as the protagonist's unrequited
love is a common experience in adolescence.

Learning Task 3
Explain the statement of Reverend Doone, “a man without a soul is nothing” in relation to the theme of
the story, “The Godstealer.” (10 points: Content/Depth of discussion/Use of Supporting details – 7;
Language Use - 3)
In the context of the short story "The God Stealer" by Francisco Sionil Jose, the statement
by Reverend Doone that "a man without a soul is nothing" is significant because it touches
on the theme of cultural identity and the loss of tradition. The story is about two Filipino
friends, Philip and Sam, who travel to Baguio City to steal a religious artifact called the
Ifugao, which is a statue of a tribal god. The Ifugao is a symbol of the native culture and
traditions that have been gradually disappearing due to colonization and modernization.
When the two friends successfully steal the Ifugao, they are confronted by Reverend
Doone, a missionary who has been working with the Ifugao tribe for many years. He tells
them that the statue they have stolen is not just an object, but a representation of the Ifugao
people's beliefs and culture. He argues that by taking it away, they are robbing the Ifugao of
their identity and soul. Reverend Doone's statement "a man without a soul is nothing" is
significant because it emphasizes the importance of cultural identity and the preservation of
traditions. Without their traditions and beliefs, the Ifugao people would lose a part of
themselves and their heritage. The statement also highlights the idea that material
possessions cannot replace the intangible aspects of culture that define a people. In
conclusion, the statement by Reverend Doone that "a man without a soul is nothing" is
significant in "The God Stealer" because it emphasizes the theme of cultural identity and
the importance of preserving traditions. The theft of the Ifugao statue represents the gradual
loss of Filipino culture and tradition in the face of colonization and modernization.

Learning Task 4
Why is the story entitled “Magnificence”? Explain. (Content/Depth of discussion/Use of Supporting
details – 7; Language Use - 3).
The short story "Magnificence" by Estrella Alfon is titled as such because it highlights the
magnificence of love, both in its purest form and in its more selfish manifestations. The story revolves
 around a young girl named Nena who becomes fascinated by the grandeur and sophistication of the
wealthy family living next door. She is particularly drawn to the daughter of the family, who is
beautiful and well-educated.

Nena becomes involved in the family's affairs when the daughter, along with her father and
mother, become her mother's clients. In her attempts to get closer to the family, Nena discovers a dark
secret that reveals the complexities of human relationships and the depth of human emotions.

The title "Magnificence" is an ironic one, as the story explores the ugliness that can often
accompany even the most beautiful and noble of emotions. It serves to highlight the stark contrast
between the superficial beauty that Nena initially finds so alluring and the deeper, more complex
emotions that she discovers as she becomes more deeply involved with the family next door.

In essence, the title serves as a reminder that, while love can indeed be a magnificent force, it
can also be a source of great pain and suffering, especially when it is driven by selfishness and desire.

Learning Task 5
Add as many symbols as you can from the stories and determine what they symbolize.

Symbols What they stand for

The Wedding Dance The fire
 the clamoring sound of gongs
The floor A number of times the narrator draws the
reader’s attention to the rattan floor as
Lumnay pulls it apart. This is symbnolic of
their marriage unraveling.
The night The nighttime setting symbolically adds to
the darkness and isolation that Lumnay
feels as she runs away from the Village. As
she works her way up the dark mountain
alone, she is unable to envision a path to
the future. The reader, too. Is left in
darkness with the unresolved ending.
Bread of Salt Pan de sal Symbols of protection and hospitality
The Butterfly The butterfly symbolizes the fleeting
nature of beauty and youth. The main
character is captivated by the beauty of the
butterfly, but it quickly flies away, leaving
him with a sense of loss and longing.
The Music The music in the story symbolizes the
main character's desire for a more refined
and cultured life. He is drawn to the
beautiful music played by the girls he
likes, and it represents his aspirations to
move beyond his humble beginnings.
The Godstealer Philip Latak
Sam Christie
The old grandfather
Sadek
The “barracks” The "barracks" where Philip Latak and his
friend Sam Cristie lived in Manila
represents the displacement and alienation
that many rural Filipinos experience when
they move to the city. The barracks are
crowded, uncomfortable, and impersonal,
and they stand in stark contrast to the
warmth and familiarity of life in the
countryside
The “bulul” The "bulul," or rice god statue, represents
the clash between tradition and modernity.
The Ifugao tribe reveres the bulul as a
sacred object that connects them to their
ancestors and their way of life, but to
Philip Latak, it is simply a valuable artifact
that he can sell for a profit.
Magnificence light
pencil
Bathing the girl
Fireflies Fireflies are a recurring symbol in the story
and represent the beauty and magic of
childhood innocence. They are also a
 symbol of hope and possibility, as seen
when the children catch them and release
them, watching them disappear into the
darkness.
The car The car that the narrator's son drives
represents adulthood and the
responsibilities that come with it. It also
represents the separation between
childhood and adulthood, as the narrator
remembers playing in the old mansion as a
child, but now sees her son driving away in
a car as an adult.
The old mansion The old mansion is a symbol of the past
and the memories that come with it. The
narrator remembers playing in the mansion
as a child, and later, when she revisits the
mansion as an adult, she is filled with
nostalgia for the past.